February

Rossi 13th in Jerez

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi found himself surprisingly off the pace on a rain-hit first day in Jerez today with the former world champion languishing down in 13th place. The 27-year-old 1.9.31s slower than...

Former world 250 champion Marco Melandri took the honours on a rain-hit first day in Jerez today as Valentino Rossi and reigning world champion Nicky Hayden struggled. The Gresini Honda rider clocked...

OJ wants improvement

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Olivier Jacque says there is still plenty of room for improvement despite Kawasaki’s encouraging start to the new 800cc MotoGP era. Jacque, who missed most of last week’s IRTA test in Qatar after...

Capirossi: 800s like 500s

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Loris Capirossi reckons the new generation 800cc machines are a throwback to riding the fearsome 500cc two-strokes replaced years ago. The 33-year-old factory Ducati rider has made big strides with...

Rea ends test on top

28 February 2007 by Gary Pinchin

For the third day running, Jonathan Rea has set the best time at the multi-team BSB test taking place at Almeria in Spain. The 20-year-old set the pace throughout the dry weather test which has just...

Rea continues reign

28 February 2007 by Gary Pinchin

Jonathan Rea continues to lead the BSB stars testing out in Spain, with the new HM Plant signing again going fastest at Almeria on day two of the three-day test there. His performance is all the more...

Leon in medical centre

28 February 2007 by Gary Pinchin

Leon Haslam was taken to the Almeria medical centre after a 90mph highside at the Spanish track just minutes ago – but has thankfully escaped with just a bruised left leg. The Airwaves Ducati man...

Diet boosts Checa

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Carlos Checa has revealed some of the extreme measures he’s taken to help him adapt to the new generation 800cc MotoGP machines in 2007. The Spaniard underwent a rigorous and gruelling winter training...

Endurance boost

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins reckons lap times are plummeting on the new 800cc machines because the drop in horsepower has seen tyre endurance greatly increased. Riders can lap faster and for longer without the...

Marco better than ever

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Marco Melandri claims he will go into the new MotoGP world championship campaign in better shape than at any other time in his career. Despite some disappointing winter testing performances on the...

BHP management key

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Factory Ducati rider Loris Capirossi believes one of the reasons why lap times are already plummeting in the new 800cc MotoGP era is down to significantly more manageable horsepower, despite saying...

Vermeulen wants grip

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Chris Vermeulen has told Bridgestone that it must improve its new generation front tyres to help adapt to the new riding style required on the 800cc MotoGP machines. With increased corners speeds and...

Dani's bike faster

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Marco Melandri has hinted that factory Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has already received engine upgrades on the new RC212V 800cc contender. The Italian spoke to MCN having followed the triple world...

Barros targets win

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Brazilian veteran Alex Barros believes he is capable of making a winning return to the MotoGP world championship in 2007. The 36-year-old is back in the premier class after a year with in World...

800s like two strokes

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Former world 250 champion Marco Melandri says that the new generation 800cc MotoGP machines have the same aggressive power characteristics of a two-stroke. Though he never raced a two-stroke 500 in...

Rossi backs Edwards

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi has backed factory Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards to finally deliver in the MotoGP world championship. The American is still searching for his first premier class victory having spent...

Fuel no worry for Honda

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Former world champion Kenny Roberts Jr reckons Honda’s new RC212V has no worries over fuel consumption with tank capacity slashed to 21 litres for 2007. Fuel consumption has been one of the most...

Rear progress for Colin

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Colin Edwards has been boosted by a breakthrough with rear set-up on his new factory Yamaha 800. Edwards experimented with yet another new Ohlins rear shock set-up having made a significant...

Carlos gets comfy

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Carlos Checa has unveiled some of the secrets to his rapid improvement in winter testing on board the LCR Honda RC212V 800 contender. The Spaniard has begun to recapture his best form in recent tests...

Michelin boss talks 16

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Having made the first aggressive move in the 2007 MotoGP tyre war with a new 16-inch front tyre becoming one of the big talking points of winter testing. Michelin boss Jean-Philippe Weber has told MCN...

Nicky needs early speed

26 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Reigning world champion Nicky Hayden reckons he has got to come out of the gate faster at every race to bolster his hopes of retaining the MotoGP crown in 2007. Hayden admitted one of his weaknesses...

Meetings help Yamaha

26 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

A new regime has helped Yamaha become the manufacturer everybody wants to beat when the new 800cc MotoGP world championship kicks off on March 10, 2007 in Qatar. That’s the view of factory rider Colin...

Toseland wins race two

24 February 2007 by MCN

James Toseland has won the second race at the Losail circuit in Qatar after a near faultless ride. Early on, the same group of four as race one consisting of Toseland, Biaggi, Haga and Corser made...

Sofuoglu wins in WSS

24 February 2007 by Rob Hull

Kenan Sofuoglu has won the opening World Supersport race of 2007 after Hannspree Honda team-mate Sebastien Charpentier crashed out of the lead in the closing stages of the race. Yamaha rider Kevin...

Biaggi wins race one

23 February 2007 by Michael Guy

Max Biaggi has won the opening race of the 2007 WSB season – his first race for over a year and his first ever race in World Superbikes. The Roman Emperor had to fight for his win after he and James...

Beeb unveil '07 plans

23 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

All 18 rounds of the 2007 MotoGP world championship will be screened live on the BBC. Coverage plans were confirmed by BBC MotoGP series producer Belinda Rogerson at the start of the IRTA test in...

Corser on Pole

23 February 2007 by Michael Guy

Troy Corser has just snatched pole position for the first round of the World Superbike championship, ahead of Max Biaggi and James Toseland. With more Superpole wins than any other rider in the...

Smith gets wet boost

23 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Two crashes couldn’t stop British teenager Bradley Smith scoring an encouraging top 10 finish in the IRTA 125 test at Jerez. The Repsol Honda rider was eighth fastest overall, his best time of...

Wet, wet, wet in Jerez

23 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

The opening morning of the final IRTA test in Jerez has been dominated by soaking wet conditions that have seen none of the full-time MotoGP riders out on track in the first two hours. Only Ducati...

Toseland again

23 February 2007 by Michael Guy

James Toseland will be the final rider to head out on to his Superpole lap this afternoon (1pm UK time) after setting provisional pole position with a lap time over two tenths quicker than his nearest...

Pitt waits on new parts

23 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Andrew Pitt is hoping that vital engine upgrades for the struggling Ilmor 800 arrive in time for this weekend’s final IRTA test in Jerez. Pitt and team-mate Jeremy McWilliams are waiting on a new...

Yamaha's 800 edge

23 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Honda duo Marco Melandri and Carlos Checa reckon rivals Yamaha have a clear advantage going into the inaugural 800cc MotoGP world championship next month. Former world champion Valentino Rossi and...

Hayden: Engine still key

23 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden believes Honda’s new RC212V 800cc motor can improve despite the V4 appearing close to its rivals in testing in Qatar last week. Hayden has been a vocal critic at the lack of performance...

Edwards on Jerez test

23 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

In-form factory Yamaha rider Colin Edwards has backed the factory’s YZR-M1 800 machine to continue its blistering winter pace when pre-season testing reaches its climax in Jerez. Edwards said he is...

800 just a tool

23 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Legendary Aussie chief engineer Jerry Burgess says he doesn’t expect MotoGP to change too drastically despite the capacity reduction to 800cc for 2007. Burgess, who is working with Yamaha and...

Rizla Suzuki's 2007 livery revealed

23 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

This is the first look of the new livery to be run by Rizla Suzuki’s MotoGP team in 2007. The bike was officially unveiled at Jerez moments ago (on Thursday afternoon), and is designated the...